Beginning Graphic Design: Color

Summary

This video delves into the fundamentals of color theory, explaining how color impacts design and daily life. It covers the basics of the color wheel, including primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, and introduces key concepts like hue, saturation, and value. The video also explores different color schemes—monochromatic, analogous, complementary, and more—providing tips for creating harmonious designs. Emphasizing the importance of readability and the emotional impact of color, it encourages experimentation and inspiration from the world around us to confidently use color in various projects.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Color is essential in design and daily life, influencing attention, mood, and communication without words.
• 📚 Learning color theory can boost confidence in various situations, such as design work or fashion choices.
• 🌈 Primary and secondary colors form the basis of color theory, creating a color wheel with various shades.
• 🔑 Understanding hue, saturation, and value is crucial for grasping more complex color schemes.
• 📐 Monochromatic color schemes use variations of one color, ensuring harmony and easy matching.
• 🌳 Analogous color schemes are composed of colors adjacent on the color wheel, offering a cohesive look.
• 🔴 Complementary colors, opposite on the wheel, can be balanced by adjusting tones for a more sophisticated scheme.
• 🔸 Split-complementary schemes provide contrast with colors on either side of the complement, adding variety.
• 🔺 Triadic color schemes use three colors evenly spaced on the wheel, creating striking visual effects.
• 📏 Tetradic color schemes form a rectangle on the wheel, combining two complementary pairs for a rich palette.
• ⚙️ Color harmony formulas are starting points for inspiration, guiding the creation of unique color palettes.
• 👀 Readability is key in design; colors should be legible and not overused to the point of distraction.
• 🏛 The tone of a project should dictate the color palette, with bright colors for fun or modern vibes and desaturated colors for a business-like appearance.
• 🌐 Color schemes can be inspired by various sources, including advertising, branding, and art, and can be explored through web resources.

Q & A

What role does color play in design and everyday life?

Color plays a vital role in design and everyday life as it can draw attention to an image, evoke certain moods or emotions, and communicate important messages without the use of words.

What is color theory and why is it important for artists and designers?

Color theory is a set of principles and practices that artists and designers have followed for centuries to understand how colors work together and how they can be used effectively in their work. It helps them feel confident in choosing colors for designs or outfits.

Can you explain the primary and secondary colors in the context of color theory?

Primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. Secondary colors are created by mixing primary colors: red and yellow make orange, yellow and blue make green, and blue and red make purple.

What is a color wheel and how is it formed?

A color wheel is a visual representation of colors arranged according to their relationships in color theory. It is formed by combining primary and secondary colors and their in-between shades, creating a circular arrangement.

What are the three main attributes of color that help in understanding nuanced colors?

The three main attributes of color are hue, saturation, and value. Hue refers to the color itself, saturation refers to the intensity or vibrancy of the color, and value refers to the lightness or darkness of the color.

How can you create a professional-looking color scheme using the monochromatic formula?

A monochromatic color scheme uses variations of one color or hue by adjusting its saturation and value. This formula is easy to apply and guarantees that the colors will match.

What is an analogous color scheme and how does it differ from a monochromatic scheme?

An analogous color scheme uses colors that are next to each other on the color wheel, such as reds and oranges or blues and greens. Unlike the monochromatic scheme, it introduces more variety by using different hues.

How do complementary colors work in color schemes and what should be considered to avoid simplicity?

Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel, like blue and orange. To avoid overly simplistic schemes, it's recommended to add variety by introducing lighter, darker, or desaturated tones.

What is a split-complementary color scheme and how does it provide contrast?

A split-complementary color scheme uses the colors on either side of the complement on the color wheel. This provides the same level of contrast as complementary colors but with more colors to work with, potentially leading to more interesting results.

What is a triadic color scheme and how does it differ from other schemes?

A triadic color scheme uses three colors that are evenly spaced on the color wheel, forming a triangle. These combinations are striking, especially with primary or secondary colors, and should be used mindfully in design work.

How can you ensure readability and balance in a design when using color?

Readability can be ensured by using colors that are legible and easy on the eyes. Neutral colors like black, white, and gray can help balance the design, making the used colors stand out effectively.

What are some sources of inspiration for color schemes in design?

Inspiration for color schemes can come from various sources such as advertising, branding, famous works of art, or even web resources that allow browsing and generating color palettes.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 The Importance and Basics of Color

This paragraph discusses the fundamental role of color in design and everyday life. It explains how color can attract attention, convey moods or emotions, and communicate important messages without words. The concept of color theory is introduced as a tool to help determine which colors work well together. It briefly covers the basics of primary and secondary colors, how they mix to create new shades, and introduces the color wheel. Additionally, the paragraph touches on more advanced concepts like hue, saturation, and value, explaining how these elements contribute to a deeper understanding of color variations.

05:02

🌈 Exploring Color Schemes and Harmony

This paragraph delves into the creation of professional-looking color schemes using the color wheel. It describes various formulas for color harmony, including monochromatic, analogous, complementary, split-complementary, triadic, and tetradic color schemes. Each formula is explained with practical tips on how to apply them, such as balancing colors and adding variety through tone adjustments. The paragraph also covers common do's and don'ts in color usage, emphasizing the importance of readability, contrast, and the strategic use of neutral colors to enhance design balance.

🎨 Finding Inspiration and Flexibility in Color

This paragraph emphasizes the flexibility of color in design and how its impact can vary depending on context. It suggests that bright colors can create a fun or modern vibe, while desaturated colors may appear more business-like. The paragraph encourages finding inspiration for color schemes in various sources such as advertising, art, and online resources. It reassures designers that even experienced professionals draw inspiration from their surroundings and that experimenting with color is key to mastering its use. The closing message is to keep experimenting with color and to explore other design topics like typography and composition.

Keywords

💡Color

Color is the visual perception of different wavelengths of light, and in the context of this video, it is the fundamental element of design and communication. It can attract attention, evoke emotions, and convey messages without the use of language. The script emphasizes the role of color in various aspects of life, from art to everyday attire, and its importance in creating aesthetically pleasing and emotionally evocative designs.

💡Color Theory

Color Theory is a set of principles and practices used to effectively combine colors in a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing manner. The script explains that it has been followed by artists and designers for centuries and is essential for anyone looking to understand how to pair colors effectively, whether in design or fashion.

💡Primary Colors

Primary colors are the fundamental colors that cannot be created by mixing other colors together. In the script, red, yellow, and blue are identified as primary colors, and they are the basis for creating all other colors through their combinations, such as orange, green, and purple.

💡Secondary Colors

Secondary colors are created by mixing two primary colors together. The script mentions that red and yellow make orange, yellow and blue make green, and blue and red make purple, illustrating the concept of secondary colors in the context of color theory.

💡Color Wheel

A color wheel is a visual representation of colors arranged according to their relationships in color theory. The script describes the color wheel as a tool that includes primary and secondary colors and the in-between shades, showcasing how they are interconnected.

💡Hue

Hue refers to the pure color or the basic property of a color that defines its identity. In the script, hue is described as another term for 'color,' and it is a fundamental aspect of understanding and differentiating between various colors.

💡Saturation

Saturation is the intensity or purity of a color. The script explains that it determines whether a color appears more vibrant or more subtle, and it is a key component in the creation of nuanced color schemes.

💡Value

Value pertains to the lightness or darkness of a color, ranging from black to white. The script uses value to describe how different shades of a color can be created by adjusting its lightness or darkness.

💡Color Harmony

Color Harmony refers to the pleasing and aesthetically balanced arrangement of colors. The script discusses color harmony in the context of using formulas based on the color wheel to create harmonious color schemes.

💡Monochromatic Color Scheme

A monochromatic color scheme is a color scheme that uses different shades and tones of a single hue. The script highlights this scheme as the easiest formula for harmony, ensuring that the colors will match because they are derived from the same base color.

💡Analogous Color Scheme

An analogous color scheme is created using colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. The script mentions this scheme as a way to create a harmonious palette by selecting colors that are closely related, such as reds and oranges or blues and greens.

💡Complementary Colors

Complementary colors are colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel, creating a high contrast when paired. The script advises on how to use complementary colors effectively in design by introducing variations to avoid overly simplistic schemes.

💡Split-Complementary Color Scheme

A split-complementary color scheme uses the colors on either side of the complement on the color wheel. The script describes this scheme as offering the same level of contrast as complementary colors but with more color options, potentially leading to more interesting results.

💡Triadic Color Scheme

A triadic color scheme consists of three colors that are evenly spaced on the color wheel, forming a triangle. The script notes that these combinations can be striking, especially with primary or secondary colors, and advises to be mindful when using them in design work.

💡Tetradic Color Scheme

A tetradic color scheme is formed by using two complementary color pairs on the color wheel, creating a rectangle. The script suggests that this scheme works best when one color is dominant, with the others serving as accents.

💡Readability

Readability refers to the ease with which text can be read and understood. The script emphasizes the importance of readability in design, stating that colors should be legible and not overused to the point where they detract from the message.

💡Neutral Colors

Neutral colors, such as black, white, and gray, are versatile and can be used to balance a design. The script mentions that neutral colors can help a design when color is used sparingly, allowing the color accents to stand out.

💡Context

Context is the setting in which something exists or occurs and is considered in order to fully understand it. The script points out that the choice of color can depend on the context, highlighting the flexibility of color and its ability to convey different messages depending on the situation.

Highlights

Color plays a vital role in design and everyday life.

Color can evoke moods or emotions and communicate without words.

Understanding color theory helps in choosing colors that look good together.

Color theory has been followed by artists and designers for centuries.

Color theory can be learned by anyone to feel confident in various situations.

Primary and secondary colors form the basis of color theory.

A color wheel is formed by mixing primary and secondary colors.

Hue, saturation, and value are key to understanding nuanced colors.

Hue represents the color itself, while saturation refers to its intensity.

Value determines how dark or light a color is, from black to white.

Color harmony formulas help create professional-looking color schemes.

Monochromatic color schemes use variations of one color or hue.

Analogous color schemes use colors next to each other on the color wheel.

Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel.

Split-complementary schemes use colors on either side of the complement.

Triadic color schemes use three colors evenly spaced on the color wheel.

Tetradic color schemes form a rectangle using two complementary color pairs.

Adjusting lightness, darkness, or saturation can resolve color vibration issues.

Readability is crucial; colors should be legible and easy on the eyes.

Neutral colors like black, white, and gray help balance a design.

Colors convey messages and should fit the tone of the project.

Color schemes can be inspired by advertising, branding, or famous art.

Web resources can be used to browse or generate color palettes.

Experimentation and understanding color theory will make color selection feel natural.

Transcripts

Color.

It plays a vital role in design and everyday life.

It can draw your eye to an image…

evoke a certain mood or emotion… even communicate something important without using words at

all.

So how do we know which colors look good together, and which ones don't?

The answer is simple: Color theory.

Artists and designers have followed color theory for centuries, but anyone can learn

more about it.

It can help you feel confident in many different situations, whether it's choosing colors for

a design, or putting together the perfect outfit.

All it takes is a little insight, and you'll be looking at color in a whole new way.

Let's start at the beginning—the very beginning—with a refresher on the basics.

Remember learning about primary and secondary colors in school?

Then you already have some knowledge of color theory.

Red and yellow make orange; yellow and blue make green; and blue and red make purple.

If we mix these colors together, we get even more in-between shades, like red-orange and

yellow-green.

All together, they form what's called a color wheel.

(You can probably see where it gets its name.)

Now, let's take it one step further with hue, saturation, and value.

These are terms you might not encounter in daily life, but they're the key to understanding

more nuanced colors—like all those little paint chips at the home improvement store.

Hue is the easiest one; it's basically just another word for "color."

Saturation refers to intensity—in other words, whether the color appears more subtle

or more vibrant.

Value has to do with how dark or light the color is, ranging from black to white.

As you can see, this gives us many different shades, from a deep reddish brown… to light

pastel pink.

So how do we put this all together to create professional-looking color schemes?

There are actually tried and true formulas based on something called color harmony that

can help.

All you need is the color wheel.

The easiest formula for harmony is monochromatic because it only uses one color or hue.

Just pick a spot on the color wheel, and use your knowledge of saturation and value to

create variations.

The best thing about monochromatic color schemes is that they're guaranteed to match.

An analogous color scheme uses colors that are next to each other on the wheel, like

reds and oranges... or cooler colors, like blues and greens.

Don't be afraid to play with the palette and create your own unique interpretation.

That's what these formulas really are: starting points to help guide and inspire you.

Complementary colors are opposite each other on the wheel; for instance, blue and orange...

or the classic red and green.

To avoid complementary color schemes that are too simplistic, add some variety by introducing

lighter, darker, or desaturated tones.

A split-complementary color scheme uses the colors on either side of the complement.

This gives you the same level of contrast, but more colors to work with (and potentially

more interesting results).

A triadic color scheme uses three colors that are evenly spaced, forming a perfect triangle

on the wheel.

These combinations tend to be pretty striking—especially with primary or secondary colors—so be mindful

when using them in your work.

Tetradic color schemes form a rectangle on the wheel, using not one but two complementary

color pairs.

This formula works best if you let one color dominate while the others serve as an accent.

There are a few classic do's and don'ts when it comes to color.

For instance, have you ever seen colors that seem to vibrate when they're placed next to

each other?

The solution is to tone it down—literally—and there's a simple way do it.

Start with one color, and try adjusting its lightness, darkness, or saturation.

Sometimes, a little contrast is all your color palette needs.

Readability is an important factor in any design.

Your colors should be legible and easy on the eyes.

Sometimes that means not using color—at least not in every little detail.

Neutral colors like black, white, and gray can help you balance your design, so when

you do use color, it really stands out.

Every color sends a message.

It's important to consider the tone of your project, and choose a color palette that fits.

For example, bright colors tend to have a fun or modern vibe.

Desaturated colors often appear more business-like.

Sometimes it just depends on the context—you'd be surprised how flexible color can be.

You can find ideas for color schemes in all kinds of interesting places, from advertising

and branding to famous works of art.

You can even use a web resource to browse color palettes or generate your own.

Even experienced designers take inspiration from the world around them.

There's nothing wrong with finding something you like, and making it your own.

Everywhere you look, there's color, color, and more color.

It can be intimidating to use it in your work, but it doesn't have to be.

Just keep experimenting and remember what you've learned about color theory.

Soon, choosing great-looking colors will feel like second nature.

We hope you enjoyed learning the basics of color.

Check out the rest of our design topics, including typography, images, composition.